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Daniel Cardinal DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston joined his Catholic brethren in mourning the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
The retired former head of the Catholic Church died Saturday at the age of 95.
“It is with deep sadness and hope in the Resurrection that we mourn the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,” DiNardo said in a statement that was posted on the archdiocese’s Facebook page.
National Public Radio (NPR) reported that Benedict’s death followed reports citing the Vatican press office of his worsening health.
Per NPR, the funeral for the German-born Benedict will be held at St. Peter’s Square on Thursday with his successor, Pope Francis, presiding.
Born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger in 1927, Benedict was pontiff from 2005 to 2013, and was the first pope to resign in 600 years.
DiNardo extolled Benedict for his short yet impactful time as bishop of Rome.
“The late Holy Father shepherded the Church with great love,” the cardinal said in his statement. “His keen intellect invigorated the New Evangelization by drawing hearts and minds into the mystery of our redemption in Christ, and inspiring countless men and women to spread the Gospel by the example of their lives.”
Benedict earned the nickname “God’s Rottweiler” because of his staunch conservative views on church doctrine.
An Associated Press (AP) article that was ran by Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that thousands of people descended upon the Vatican to pay their respects to Benedict, whose body is lying in state in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The AP reported that he was dressed in a red cloak and a bishop’s miter.
One mourner said the ex-pope bore a huge influence on him.
“I wanted to pay homage to Benedict because he had a key role in my life and my education,” 35-year-old Filippo Tuccio said in the report.